Power injectable peripherally inserted central catheters in the ICU: not only a question of flow

In the previous issue of Critical Care, we read with interest the paper by Pittiruti and colleagues [1]. The work presents innovative approaches to the problem of venous access in intensive care, but characteristics of the study need to be discussed in order to correctly address the decision-making process at the base of the use of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs).

The study population consisted of adult and pediatric patients in whom power injectable PICCs were used, but the authors did not clarify whether every patient admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) was automatically eligible for the placement of a PICC (a table summarizing population characteristics would help). To give important suggestions (for example, training and resource allocation) to those centers that are developing programs to improve the management of central venous catheters (CVCs), it would be interesting to know the total number of venous catheters inserted in the same period of the study.

Pittiruti and colleagues reported a virtual absence of deep vein thrombosis but only of symptomatic thrombosis. Ultrasound examination is performed only in the presence of clinical symptoms of suspected thrombosis. So the low incidence of symptomatic thrombosis is similar to that documented in a recent study from our group [2], and a higher asymptomatic thrombosis incidence documented by ultrasonography surveillance cannot be ruled out. The precise selection of the ratio of inner diameter of the vein to the outer diameter of the catheter could justify the good results obtained and should ensure the maintenance of a residual venous flow suitable to prevent pericatheter thrombosis.

Authors' response

Mauro Pittiruti and Giancarlo Scoppettuolo

Bonizzoli and colleagues address two very relevant issues: the appropriate indication of PICCs in the ICU and concern about their thrombotic risk. In regard to the first aspect, it is important to note that we reported our initial experience with a new venous access device by a retrospective investigation. In the first year (2010), 65 power injectable PICCs were inserted in our adult ICU patients [1], but in 2011, their number has almost doubled (118). Given that approximately 900 standard CVCs are inserted each year in our ICU (excluding Swan-Ganz and dialysis catheters), the use of the PICC as a central line is steadily increasing. However, since there are many obvious contraindications to PICCs (emergency situations, need for more than three lumens, local contra indications, chronic renal failure, and so on) [1], it seems unlikely that PICCs will completely replace CVCs in the ICU. Yet we recognize that, in the future, PICCs might prove to be an advantageous option in 20% to 30% of the ICU patients requiring a central line.

In regard to thrombosis, an appropriate prospective randomized trial is still needed to compare the actual incidence of asymptomatic/symptomatic thrombosis in CVCs with that in PICCs. Meanwhile, all we can do is to try to reduce the incidence of this complication by an appropriate choice of the vein (optimal ratio of vein to catheter diameter) [3, 4] and an appropriate insertion technique (ultrasound venepuncture and proper 'central' position of the tip), as recommended by international guidelines [5, 6].